Automatically controlled wrapping machine,particularly for the cigarette field



Nov. 3, 1970 AUTOMATICALLY Filed lay 5Q 1967 A. SERAGNOLI CONTROLLEDWRAPPING MACHINE. PARTICULARLY FOR THE CIGARETTE FIELD 2 Sheets-Shoot 1INVENTOR.

ijl lios a 'eragno Li Agent Nov. 3, 1970 A. SERAGNOLI 3,537,227

I AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED WRAPPING MACHINE, PARTICULARLY FOR THECIGARETTE FIELD Filed Bay 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY Arl oslosen-39m Li 3,537,227 AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED WRAPPING MACHINE,PARTICULARLY FOR THE CIGA- REI'I'E FIELD Ariosto Seragnoli, ViaBellinzone 31,

Bologna, Italy Filed May 5, 1967, Ser. No. 636,311

Claims priority, application Italy, May 6, 1966, 7 65,496/ 66 Int. Cl.B65b 57/06 US. Cl. 53-55 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatusfor automatically wrapping articles with sheet material, particularlyfor wrapping cigarette packets with foil material, including a wrappingmachine, a storage device, at least one feeding channel for the articlesto be packaged and leading towards said storage device, a conveyingchannel leading towards said wrapping machine for conveying the articlestowards said wrapping machine, said storage device being adaptedalternatively to transfer said article from said feeding channel to saidconveying channel, to collect and store the articles coming from saidfeeding channel and to deliver articles stored therein to said conveyingchannel, said wrapping machine having a plurality of control switchesresponsive to malfunctions of the operative parts thereof.

This invention relates to apparatus for automatically wrapping articles,and is more particularly related to the wrapping with transparent sheetmaterial, as cellophane, tin foil or other similar material, ofcigarette packages and the like, More precisely, the invention isconcerned with an apparatus, comprising an equipment which is arrangedbetween the feeding of articles to be wrapped and the wrapping machine,which is capable of storing and/or delivering stored articles to saidwrapping machine depending on the processing capability of said wrappingmachine and on the feeding of said articles to be wrapped, respectively.

In such automatic wrapping apparatus it is a known feature that theprocessing capability of the wrapping machine is higher than the feedingcapability of each single delivering machine, so that, with a view ofbetter availing of the higher processing capability of the wrappingmachine, a plurality of delivering machines have to be used for feedingthe articles to be wrapped.

With the same view of better exploiting the higher processing capabilityof the wrapping machine it is a known feature to use an intermediaryapparatus, which is capable to store and/ or to deliver the storedarticles to said wrapping machine depending on the processing capabilityof said wrapping machine and on the feeding from the delivering machinesof the articles to be wrapped, respectively.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in such anapparatus, in which the single units or delivering machines and thewrapping machines respectively are interconnected by the storing devicethe possibility to perform mutual controls and interlocking with an aimto further better the exploitrnent of said higher processing capabilityof the wrapping machine with respective delivering machines.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ap- United StatesPatent 3,537,227 Patented Nov. 3, 1970 paratus which is in a position tobring about the aforesaid object by means of an arrangement of thecomponent member which is particularly simple, easy in manufacture,reliable in working, practical in its use and having a cost which isrelatively low when considering the performances which such apparatus iscapable to ensure as compared with the already known apparatus.

These and other objects are reached by an apparatus for automaticallywrapping, particularly withtransparent foil material, as cellophane, tinfoil or the like, articles, cigarette packages and the like, which ischaracterized in that it comprises at least one feeding channel for thearticles to be wrapped, a conveying channel for conveying said articlesto a wrapping machine and a device which is arranged between saidfeeding channels and said con veying channel, said device being capableof storing articles and delivering the same to said conveying channeldepending on the processing capability of the wrapping machine and thefeeding of said feeding channels respectively, control means beingprovided which are interlocked to said wrapping machine and said deviceto control said device so as to set the working condition of saiddevice, as far as the stopping of the feeding through said channelsrespectively are concerned.

Further features and advantages may be made more apparent from thefollowing disclosure of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus accordingto the invention, which is illustrated for examplification purposes onlyin the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the electro-mechanical principle diagram of the apparatusand FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show corresponding alternate arrangements of themachines forming the apparatus itself.

With reference to the electro-mechanical diagram shown in FIG. 1 theapparatus comprises a machine A for feeding the articles to be wrapped,the wrapping machine B for said articles and a vertical storage deviceC, from which the articles, which cannot be conveyed to the nextwrapping machine, are stored in a vertical storage member 65, providedtherefore, wherefrom they are delivered, when the transmission to thewrapping machine starts again.

Conveniently, such a device can be of the type which has been describedin US. Pat. 3,450,246, based on application Ser. No. 636,491 having thesame filing date and pertaining to the same applicant. Such machineshave been shown by block diagrams, and have been confined in thedrawings by thin dot-and-point line.

To the wrapping machine B a remote control switch is associated whichserves for switching on the working of the machine and for interlockingthe apparatus C, in the manner which will be hereinafter described andwhich may be determined from said above-mentioned patent.

As an example said switch 2 is shown to have three contact pairs 1-2,3-4 and 56 which are normally open, of which the pair 1-2 serves for aself-energization through a plurality of microswitches linked to controlmeans for said wrapping, as will be seen hereinafter, whilst the pairs3-4 and 5-6 pertain to the contacts of the apparatus C, as will be seen.The switch t controls by its contacts 51', 6t the apparatus C, so as tobring it to deliver the articles from the delivering machine to thewrapping machine in such a manner as to make sure that when contacts 5t,61! are open, the delivery of articles from the apparatus C to themachine B is stopped, whilst the delivery-of articles from the machine Ato apparatus C is continued, the articles being sotred in the meantimein the vertical storing device, whilst when contacts t, 6t are closed,the delivery of articles to machine B is performed. Contacts 3t and 4tcontrol moreover the driving motor of the packaging machine 13 which isconnected only when contacts 31', 4t are open, said motor being notshown in the drawing.

To said wrapping machine B a relay r is furthermore associiated whichhas two movable contacts 1-2 and four fixed contacts 3-4 and 5-6.

Furthermore, the wrapping machine B is provided with two units a, b forfeeding from the feeding bobbin, in a known manner of the foil wrappingmaterial, as cellophane, tin foil and the like, a unit 0 for feedingfrom a feeding bobbin 2 of the tearing stripe opening the Wrapping ofthe packages, a unit d which will be described hereinafter and a unit efor driving the machine as far as the wrapping members are concerned, aunit 7 for driving the members aiming at wrapping or forming the packageof a plurality of articles, a unit g for an additional feeding ofarticles, two units h and i for feeding, from a bobbin, ,the foilmaterial for wrapping packages of a plurality of articles, a unit I forfeeding the tearing stripe which serves for tearing open the wrapping ofthe package of articles, two units m, n for controlling the position ofthe wrapped articles in the feeding steps during the formation of thepackage, and two units 0, p for controlling the'number of objects whichhave been wrapped and which are aimed at forming the package itself.

In the unit a the cellophane band 1 passes through two guiding rollers 2and 3. On the portion of the band 1, which extends between said tworollers 2, 3, a roller 4 is made to bear, which roller is looselycarried at the end of a lever 5 pivoted on the pin 6 so as to be able tooscillate, the other tail shaped set and 5' being designed to cooperatewith the actuation member of a microswitch 7, having a movable contact 1and two fixed contacts 2, 3. In case of a break in the feeding or whenthe bobbin, feeding band 1, is exhausted, the lever 5 turns around pin6, so that its tail shaped end 5 actuates the actuation member of themicro-switch 7, switching the movable contact from its normal position1-2 to the position 1-3. The band 1 is passed then through unit .bbetween the fixed guide 8 and the movable guide 9, which latter iscapable of assuming an operative position, as shown in FIG. 1 in whichit is retained by stop lever 10, which may be hand-operated, and mayalso assume an in-operative position. Said band 1 passes through saidguides 8, 9 and during the working of the machine and in the case of anaccidental creasing, it operates on the actuation member of themicro-switch 11, switching its movable contact 1 on the fixed contacts2, 3 from its normal position 1-2 to the position 1-3. p

The tear stripe or band 12 of unit c passes through two guiding rolls13, 14. On the portion of band 12 which extends between said rollers 13,14, a roller 15 is made to bear as a sensitive means, said roller 15being loosely carried by the end of a lever 16, pivoted around pin 17,the other tail shaped end 16' of which is made to cooperate with theactuation member of a micro-switch 18 having a movable contact 1 and twofixed contacts 2, 3.

In case of break in the feeding of the band or stripe 12 or in case ofexhaustion of the relative bobbin, the lever 16 turns around pin 17bringing its tail 16' to operate the actuation member of themicro-switch 18- to have its movable contact out from its normalposition 1-2 to the position 1-3.

The unit d is essentially comprising a door 19 which may turn on thepins 20. Said door 19 is made of transparent material and works as ascreen on the front part of the machine. When the operator for anyreason connected with the machine, has to open said door, a member 21secured to it strikes against the actuation member of a micro-switch 22,switching its movable contact 1 from the normal position 1-2 to theposition 1-3, as far as the two fixed contacts 2, 3 are concerned.

The unit e for the driving of the wrapping machine B for wrapping thesingle articles, comprises a driving pulley 23 which by means of a belt24, transmits the drive to the reduction pulley 25. The transmissionwheel 26 is mounted so as to be rotatably rigid with said shaft, but tobe able to elastically slide in axial direction. Said transmission wheel26 is rotatably connected with said pulley 25 by the connecting pin 27.In the case in which the transmission couple between pulley 25 and wheel26 accidentally increases, which may have for instance its reason ingrippings of tre articles, said wheel 26 is axially shifted for instancein virtue of the coupling by means of inclined pins, against an elasticresistance, so that an action is brought on the actuation member of themicroswitch 28 switching its movable contact 1 with respect to the fixedcontacts 2, 3 from its normal position 1-2 to the position 1-3.

The unit 1 for the driving of the machine as far as the members forwrapping or forming the packages from a plurality of articles areconcerned, derives its motion from the previously mentioned pulley 23and the shaft of the corresponding reduction pulley (which is not shownin FIG. 1) on which a transmission wheel 29 is provided, which is quitesimilar to the transmission wheel 26 of unit e. In case of an accidentalincrease of the transmission couple between said reduction pulley andthe wheel 29, which may have its reason for instance in the dropping ofthe articles in the step of their wrapping to form the package, saidwheel 29 is axially shifted against a resisting elastic action, and itoperates the actuation member of a micro-switch 30 switching its movablecontact 1 with respect to the fixed contact 23, from its normal position1-2 to the position 1-3.

The unit g is provided for feeding articles in the case there is a wasteamong the articles fed for the formation of the package. The rotatablefeeding disc 31 passes below the additional hopper 32 and in the case inone of its position, the articles is absent because it has beenpreviously discarded since it has been found to be faulty, said discbrings article dropped from said hopper in said position, where anarticle is lacking. Said hopper 32 is provided with a sensitive member33 which is able to sense the presence of articles in the hopper itself.Said sensitive member cooperates with the actuation member of amicro-switch 34 and in the case that in the hopper articles are lacking,it actuates said micro-switch 34, switching its movable contact 1 withrespect to the fixed contacts 2, 3 from its normal position 1-2 to theposition 13.

The unit h which is provided for feeding wrapping materials for wrappinga plurality of articles in packages, comprises a bobbin 35 through whichthe band 36 is made to pass from plane 37 below the sensitive member 38which is mounted for oscillatingaround the shaft 39 having bearings 40fixed to said plane 37. In said plane 37 a window 41 is provided withinwhich the sensitive member 38 is brought to fall if the feeding of band36 is interrupted or the bobbin of said band is exhausted. In thismanner said sensitive member operates on the actuation member of themicro-switch 42 switching the movable contact 1 of said micro-switchwith respect to its fixed contacts 2, 3 from the normal position 12 tothe position 1-3. The band 36 is furthermore made to pass in the unit ibetween the roller 43 and the actuation member of a micro-switch 44. Incase of an accidental creasing of said band, the actuation member ofmicro-switch 44 is shifted, switching the movable contact 1 of saidmicro-switch with respect to its fixed contacts 2, 3, from the normalposition 1-2 to the position 1-3. The tear or stripe 45 of unit 1 passesthrough two guiding rollers 46, 47. On the portion of band 45 whichextends between said two rollers 46, 47, an arm 48 is made to bear as asensitive member, the arm pertaining to an arm element 49, pivoted onpin 50 so as to oscillate, said pin being carried by the fixed bearing51. The other arm 52 of said element 49 is made to cooperate with theactuation member of a micro-switch 53, having a movable contact 1 andtwo fixed contacts 2, 3. If the stripe is interrupted or the stripebobbin is exhausted the oscillating element 49, turns around pin 50bringing the arm 52 to operate the actuation member of micro-switch 53thus switching the movable contact 1 with respect to the fixed contacts2 and 3, from the normal position 1-2 to the position 1-3.

The unit m comprises a brush member 54 for controlling the position ofthe wrapped articles in a feeding step of said articles 13 to form thepackage. Said brush member 54 is provided with a portion having theshape of a tail 54, which is designed for cooperation with the actuationmember of a micro-switch 55 having a movable contact 1 and two fixedcontacts 2, 3. When grippings of the fed articles occur, the brush 54 islifted as shown in FIG. 1 and the tail 54' releases an actuation memberof micro-switch 55 switching the movable contact from its normalposition 1-2 to the position 1-3.

The unit n comprises in turn a pushing member 56 which when grippings ofthe fed articles occur, during the formation of a package, operates onthe actuation member of a micro-switch 57, switching its movable contact1 from its normal position 1-2 to the position 1-3.

The unit 0 which is provided for controlling the number of articlesdesigned for forming a package, comprises a brush member 58, having alateral extension 59.

-In case in which the pre-established number of articles for theformation of a package is not complete, i.e. in the case in which anarticle is lacking in the feeding channel 60, said brush member 58 islowered, bringing the extension 59 to operate on an actuation member ofa microswitch 61, switching its movable contact 1 from its normalposition 1-2 to the position 1-3.

The unit p is provided with a cam 62 designed to cyclically operate onthe actuation member of a microswitch 63, switching its movable contact1 from its normal position 1-2 to the position 1-3.

On the electrical feeding line 64, which for instance is energized witha voltage of 24 v., and which is in series connection with the contact3-1 of relay r, a micro-switch P is inserted, which may be hand-operatedby means of push-buttons, and which has contacts 1, 2 normally in closedposition.

As may be seen from the electro-mechanical diagram of FIG. 1, themicro-switches of said units from a to n are all series connectedbetween each other, the contacts 6-2 of relay r being connected to theline 64, and to the self-energizing contacts 2-1 of the remote controlswitch 1. The micro-switches of the units 0, p are conversely seriesconnected between each other and to said line 64, as well as to thebobbin of relay r.

The contact pair 1, 3 of said relay r is arranged as a self-energizingpair of contacts of said relay r through said hand-operated micro-switchP.

The device C comprises a vertical storage hopper 65. To said hopper 65 asensitive member 66 is associated, which is designed for cooperationwith the actuation member of a micro-switch 67 having a movable contact1 and two fixed contacts 2, 3. Said sensitive member is arranged so asto sense and signal the filling of the storage hopper device and whenthe level of the stored articles in said hopper device has reaches theheight where said sensitive member is placed, this latter operatesthrough said microswitch on the machine A stopping it. The working ofthe apparatus according to this embodiment is the following:

When the wrapping machine B is started, the remote control switch t isexcited by means of interlocking circuit which is not shown (possiblyfor instance in the manner which has been disclosed in said applicationfiled on the same date of the same applicant). Said switch t is keptenergized through the pair of contacts 1-2, as is shown for instance inFIG. 1. As a matter of fact, all series connected micro-switches of theunits from a to n are closed under normal conditions, whilst the relay ris deenergized so that the movable contact 2 is in the position 2-6.Said relay r is de-energized since during the normal working of theapparatus the position of the brush 58 of unit c is such as to leave thecorresponding micro-switch 61 in the position of opened contacts 1-2.

In the case one of the accidental conditions disclosed with reference tounits from a to n occurs, the switch t falls and the machine B isstopped and through the same switch 1 the device C is controlled as faras its working is concerned, in a manner which does not pertain to thepresent invention, but which could be the manner disclosed in the saidapplication of the same applicant.

In the case in which this apparatus C is controlled so as to storearticles in the hopper-storage device 65, and the wrapping machine B iskept in stopped condition, when the level of the articles reach thesensitive member 66 in said hopper device 65, the microswitch 67 isoperated, and the switching of its movable contact from the position 1-2to the position 1-3 causes the machine A to be also stopped.

Furthermore in the case in which that accidental condition disclosedwith reference in unit 0 occurs, the micro-switch 61 is switched fromits open contact position 1-2 to the closed contact position 1-3, sothat the cyclical rotation of cam 62 of unit p which continuously closesand opens the switch 63 in specific moments of the cycle and which isdriven by the driving members of the wrapping machine, causes relay r tobe energized which by the opening of the contacts 2-6, causes the switcht to fall with the same consequences on the working as previouslydisclosed. 'By means of the contact 1-3, said relay r remainsself-energized through the button microswitch P, so that, when thereason which has caused energization of relay r to occur hasdisappeared, this button P is actuated, de-energizing said relay r sothat the apparatus is brought to its starting working conditions.

In FIGS. 2-3 and 4 practical examples of the combination of machines Aand B and device C form altogether the apparatus in question, have beenshown.

In FIG. 2 two feeding machines A-A have been shown, in which the conveychannels reach device C on the opposite sides whilst the convey channelfrom said device C to the wrapping machine B is arranged according to aparallel path to the channel conveying to the device C machine A. Theexample of FIG. 3 shows a single machine A with two convey channels onone single side of the device C while on the other side of said device Cthe convey channel reaching the wrapping machine B is arranged.

In FIG. 4 a device C is shown with three convey channels from threedelivering machines A, A'-A" and a convey machine reaching the wrappingmachine B.

With reference to the three disclosed examples, arrows near the device Cshow the working condition of the three essential machines, which formthe apparatus.

Although some preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated,it is obvious that many modifications and changes may be devised. Hencethe right is reserved to all such modifications and changes as properlycome within the inventive concept.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for automatically wrapping articles with sheetmaterial, particularly for wrapping cigarette packets with foilmaterial, including a wrapping machine, a storage device, at least onefeeding channel for the articles to be packaged and leading towards saidstorage device, a conveying channel leading from said storage device tosaid wrapping machine for conveying the articles to said wrappingmachine, said storage device being adapted alternatively to transfersaid articles from said feeding channel to said conveying channel, tocollect and store the articles coming from said feeding channel and todeliver articles stored therein to said conveying channel, saidwrapping'machine having a plurality of operative parts includingwrapperfeeding means, article feed ing means and package forming meansand a plurality of control switches respectively responsive tomalfunction of said operative parts; the improvement which comprises arelay controlling the operation of said storage device and having anoperating coil, and electric circuit means connecting the operating coilof said relay with said plurality of control switches to operate saidrelay to stop delivery of said articles from said storage device to saidwrapping machine upon the operation of any of said con- 8 trol switchesin response to malfunction of any of said operative parts of saidwrapping machine.

, References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,609,802 12/1926 EkstrOni etal. 1 53-59 X 1,915,550 6/1933 Schmitt 53-55 10 TRAVIS S. McGEH-EE,Primary Examiner

